Dongmei Lian^#, Zhou Li^#, Bizhen Lin, Shaoping Zhang, Susu Yuan, Yunfa Yao, Yudong Ju, Zhengfeng Lai^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078378 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is highly susceptible to chilling stress, which severely constrains its growth and productivity. Although the eco-friendly biostimulant γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) has shown promise in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, its specific role and underlying mechanisms in alleviating chilling injury in pepper remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which foliar application of 100 mg·L⁻¹ γ-PGA enhances chilling tolerance in pepper seedlings. Our results demonstrated that γ-PGA pretreatment significantly mitigated chilling-induced growth inhibition and promoted root development, evidenced by a 110.8% increase in the number of root… More >

Jianghan Ouyang^1,#, Yuxin Zhang^1,#, Xiaotong Ma^1,2, Xiangjian Tu^1,2, Pengxin Hou^1,2, Wei Cao³, Shangzhi Zhong^1,2,*, Lulu Sun^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079919 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Salt stress has been demonstrated to trigger the overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within plant tissues. This process, in turn, has been shown to induce oxidative damage and further impair the physiological and metabolic processes. As a promising organic soil conditioner, biochar has proven effective in mitigating the adverse effects of salt stress in crops. Nevertheless, the synergistic and interactive effects of salt stress and biochar application on the osmotic adjustment system and antioxidant defense system of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been fully elucidated. This study employed a completely randomized design, comprising four… More >

Tetiana O. Yastreb¹, Pavel Vítámvás², Ilja T. Prášil², Zdeněk Cit², Ivan V. Shakhov¹, Yuriy E. Kolupaev^1,3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079882 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Low temperature is a major abiotic stress factor inducing the accumulation of dehydrins in plants. Dehydrins are hydrophilic, heat-stable proteins implicated in plant stress responses; however, their synthesis under cold conditions during the early stages of wheat development has not been sufficiently studied. This study investigated the relationship between cold-induced dehydrin accumulation in etiolated seedlings and frost tolerance in wheat cultivars differing in their level of frost tolerance. Three-day-old seedlings of high frost-tolerant (high-FT) cultivars (Antonivka, Doskonala, and Nordika) and low frost-tolerant (low-FT) cultivars (Tobak, Tonnage, and Altigo) of Triticum aestivum L. were hardened at +3°C… More > Graphic Abstract

Geng Zhang¹, Xiangyu Ding², Zidan Wen², Chao Liu², Duyen T. P. Nguyen³, Jinxiu Song⁴, Zejin Zhang⁵, Zhiming Yan^1,6, Yuanhua Wang^1,*, Zhengnan Yan^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077381 - 28 February 2026

Abstract As a pivotal environmental factor, light, comprising intensity, photoperiod, and spectrum, governs the entire life cycle of strawberries by mediating alterations in the plant’s morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits. Although extensive research has been conducted on light-mediated growth regulation in horticultural crops, most reviews focus primarily on leafy and fruiting vegetables, with limited attention given to berry crops such as strawberries. Additionally, most existing reviews concentrate on one or several growth stages, failing to systematically characterize light’s effects throughout the entire growth cycle and postharvest stage. This review briefly summarizes the regulatory roles of light More >

Zakia Akter¹, Sumona Akter Jannat², Sheikh Md. Shibly¹, Afroza Sultana¹, Amdadul Hoque Amran¹, Joairia Hossain Faria¹, Sabina Yeasmin¹, Md. Parvez Anwar^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075524 - 30 January 2026

Abstract Seaweed extract contains plant growth regulators and bio-stimulants that enhance plant growth and development. In Bangladesh, winter rice (Boro rice) in the nursery bed often shows poor seed emergence and weak seedling growth due to low temperature. This problem can be addressed by using seaweed extract as a seed priming agent and bio-stimulant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seaweed extract (Crop Plus) on seed emergence, seedling growth, and vigor of winter rice in the nursery. Two experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University using BRRI dhan89. The laboratory experiment… More >

Iván De-la-Cruz-Chacón, Christian Anabí Riley-Saldaña, Marisol Castro-Moreno, Claudia Azucena Durán-Ruiz, Alma Rosa González-Esquinca^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3509-3526, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.072586 - 01 December 2025

Abstract The seedling phase represents an initial and critical stage for the establishment of individuals in the ecosystem. During this stage, specialized metabolites contribute to survival; however, studies analyzing the presence of these molecules and the reasons for their production and accumulation are still scarce. Annonaceae is a botanical family recognized for the chemodiversity of its secondary metabolites; nearly 1000 alkaloids have been reported in approximately 150 adult specimens. The aim of this study was to determine whether alkaloid biosynthesis in Annonaceae is expressed from early stages. For this purpose, Annona macroprophyllata, Annona muricata, Annona purpurea, and Annona reticulata seedlings,… More >

Nada Zaari Jabri¹, Mohamed Ait-El-Mokhtar^1,*, Fadoua Mekkaoui¹, Najwa Rabah¹, Ilham Amghar¹, Ghizlane Diria², Abdelaziz Hmyene¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3687-3701, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071634 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) contamination is a major environmental stressor that adversely affects crop germination and early development. This study assessed the impact of increasing Cd concentrations (0.125 to 1 g/L) on seed germination and early seedling growth in three bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars: Achtar, Lina, and Snina. The results revealed a clear dose-dependent inhibitory effect of Cd. Germination percentage (GP) significantly declined with increasing Cd levels, while mean germination time was progressively delayed, particularly at higher concentrations. Vigor index (VI) also showed significant reductions, reflecting compromised seedling establishment. Morphological traits, especially shoot and root lengths,… More >

Giovana Pinheiro Viana da Silva¹, Edilson Costa^1,*, Paulo Henrique Rosa Melo¹, Fernanda Pacheco de Almeida Prado Bortolheiro¹, Thaise Dantas², Flávio Ferreira da Silva Binotti¹, Carlos Eduardo da Silva Oliveira¹, Abimael Gomes da Silva¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3109-3123, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.070221 - 29 October 2025

Abstract Hancornia speciosa ‘Gomes’, commonly known as mangabeira, is a fruit-bearing tree native to Brazil that plays a crucial role in sustaining its native biome, restoring degraded areas, and improving the socio-environmental conditions of these regions. The use of colored materials and bioinputs can help improve the quality of seedling production of Hancornia speciosa. This study aimed to evaluate the use of colored seedling tubes and a Chlorella vulgaris-based bioinput in developing Hancornia speciosa seedlings. The experiment was conducted at the Mato Grosso do Sul State University (UEMS), in Cassilândia, MS, using a completely randomized design in a 5 ×… More >

Oscar Sariñana-Aldaco¹, Carmen Alicia Ayala-Contreras¹, Susana González-Morales², Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego³, Marissa Pérez-Alvarez³, América Berenice Morales-Díaz⁴, Dámaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios⁵, José Gerardo Uresti-Porras⁶, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza^7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2131-2153, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067577 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Selenium (Se) is a nutrient that is considered beneficial for plants, because its improvement in growth, yield and quality helps plants to mitigate stress. The objective of this research was to evaluate the application of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃), nanoparticles (SeNPs) and microparticles (SeMPs) of Se in cucumber seedlings, via two experiments: one with seed priming and the other with foliar application of Se materials. The doses used were: 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 3.0 mg · L⁻¹, for each form of Se and for each form of application. Treatment 0 consisted of the application of… More >

Gülay Zulkadir^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2117-2129, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.066762 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a globally important legume crop valued for its nutritional content and adaptability. Establishing a robust root system during early growth is critical for optimal nutrient uptake, shoot development, and increased resistance to biotic stress. This study evaluated the effects of exogenous indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on root and shoot development in two bean cultivars, Onceler-98 and Topcu, during the seedling stage. IBA was applied at four concentrations: 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 μM. Morphological parameters measured included root length (RL), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), root nodule number (RNN), More >